January 2, 2026, 82, LaGrange – Daniel Wyatte Cope Jr., 82, of La Grange, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 164 Longs Plant Farm Rd, Goldsboro, NC. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held immediately afterwards (Location TBD).
Dan was born in Davidson County to Daniel Wyatte Cope Sr. and Julia Catherine Craver Cope on May 9, 1943. He was a North Carolina State graduate and served as a Lieutenant in the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army after being drafted in 1967. Deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he earned a Bronze Star during his year-long combat service. There is no telling how many lives he touched there, as he never talked about it. After a career as an engineer at CP&L and raising two boys, he retired in 1998. This left him plenty of time to go to auctions, sell antiques, and watch his beloved Wolfpack play.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Swing Cope; his son, Jeffrey Cope of Everett, Washington; his brother, Roy Cope and wife, Treva of Lexington, NC; his sister-in-law, Sheila Cope of Lexington, NC; and his grandchildren, Brandon Cope and Mollie Cope.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Cope was preceded in death by his son, Eric Cope; his brother, Donald Cope; and his sister, Linda Sink.
Professional services entrusted and in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.
